Google Maps’ ETA sharing feature hits iOS

If you’re heading out to meet someone, there are plenty of ways to inform them of your location and estimated arrival. Chat apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, LINE and iMessage, for example, offer location-sharing functionality, while navigation apps like Waze and CityMapper and even ridesharing apps like Uber offer live updating ETAs. Now, Google Maps’ own ETA feature is at last coming to iOS. The feature is also getting a few tweaks following last year’s launch on Android, the company says.

From a “Share Location” option in the app’s main navigation bar, you’re able to pick how long you want to share your location and choose with whom to share it — the latter from a set of frequent contacts or by entering someone’s name, number or email to pull from your address book.

Then, from the navigation screen, another option called “Share trip progress” allows users to share their live ETA with others as they start their trip.

Today, Google is bringing this ETA feature to Google Maps on iOS.

To try it out, tap on the ˄ button once you’ve begun navigation, then tap “Share trip progress.” This will allow you to share with favorite contacts your live location, route and your ETA, as before.

However, the feature is also being improved with today’s release to allow for sharing across third-party apps like Messenger, WhatsApp, LINE and others. That makes it easier to include in your text message threads and group chats, which are probably already underway.

The feature works for driving, walking and cycling navigation, says Google. It’s live now on iOS and Android.